Defense gives Tech chance at upset, but Georgia Tech prevails, 68-56

Nov 30, 2008

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Forty minutes of relentless pressure defense
gave Tennessee Tech a chance for an upset Sunday, but Georgia Tech
had a few too many weapons and escaped with a 68-56 victory over
the Golden Eagles in the consolation game of the Florida Atlantic
Thanksgiving Classic.

Tech forced 32 turnovers by Georgia Tech (5-2), and just kept
fighting back against the bigger team from the Atlantic Coast
Conference. The Golden Eagles, however, couldn't overcome 35
turnovers and a second consecutive day of cold shooting.

Georgia Tech also had three players in double figures, topped by
Brigette Ardossi with 18 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Jacqua
Williams added 16 points and Alex Montgomery scored 10, including a
crucial 3-pointer with 3:01 remaining after Tech had pulled to
within four points.

The Yellow Jackets scooted to a quick 4-0 lead and held their
advantage all the way to the finish. They increased their lead to
as many as 12 points in the first half, leading 17-5 at the 12:24
mark.

Tech sliced the difference down to four points when Lyons' layup
capped a 6-1 run to make it 21-17 with 5:47 to play, but GT scored
eight straight to regain the 12-point bulge.

Back-to-back baskets by Lyons made it a six-point game, 29-23, at
halftime.

Twice in the second half Price knocked down 3-pointers that brought
the Golden Eagles to within a single point, once at 31-30 and the
second time at 42-41 with 10:13 remaining.

The Yellow Jackets scored the next nine points to make it a
10-point game, and once again the Golden Eagles hammered away to
close the gap. A 3-pointer by Nwosu and a layup by Hayes made it
52-48 with 3:01 left to play.

That's when Montgomery hit the 3-pointer to make it 55-48, and she
added a steal and layup eight seconds later to make it 57-48.

Tennessee Tech was forced to foul down the stretch and the Yellow
Jackets finished with six straight free throws for the final
12-point margin.

Tech shot 30 percent in the first half and improved to 46 percent
in the second period, finishing the game with a 39.2 percent mark.
The Golden Eagles owned a 35-29 advantage in rebounds.

Tech faces its second consecutive game against a foe from the Peach
State, visiting the University of Georgia Wednesday night. After
that, Amy Brown's squad opens Ohio Valley Conference play on
Saturday by hosting Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m. in Eblen
Center.